Tess is the public face of Novaskill, the organisation tasked with bringing together the team of people who are building the bones of the garden in Wynter Street, Taree.

Day one on the job was February 1 and today, Tess says the team "is excited by the part they are playing in this fabulous project."

"The community response to their work is amazing," Tess said.

"There is a momentum and excitement that is unlike any other project and the team is loving it.

"It is wonderful they are creating something from scratch, learning new skills, and the community is backing them and loving their work."

Tess manages numerous Novaskill team projects on the Mid North Coast and says the level of community support for Taree Community Garden is "remarkable" and is quick to point to the work of RichmondPRA in building community awareness and engagement.

"The community feels connected to this project because of the amazing social media and media coverage. People are excited by what they see and want to be part of it."

RichmondPRA is the organisation that is driving the project. It is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support programs for people with mental health issues and advocates community-based assistance in the Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester regions.

RichmondPRA team leader Chris Cassar says the Novaskill team "are creating a resource for the entire community, a garden for health, education and social connection."

Taree Community Garden is a work-in-progress and for the last few months, it is the daily work of the Novaskill team that is evident on the 500m2 parcel of land; eight garden beds, a large covered pergola and pathways have been created and designed to enable people in wheelchairs to visit and work in the garden.

Tess says the next few months will be busy as the team works to build a hothouse, compost bays, undertakes ongoing site maintenance, clearance and makeover an abandoned vehicle into a colourful art installation.

"One of our workers dabbles in art and her work is amazing. She is going to design something that includes the Taree Community Garden name and it will be painted on the vehicle," Tess said.

The make-up of the Novaskill team changes over time but currently it includes Jimmy Linke, Damien Gray, Mini Felber, Sarah Wilcocks, Jessie Whitehead, Jenette Clarke, Jessica Cooper and Chloe Abbott. Natasha Roberts (pictured) recently left the project to undertake study.

Stacey Grainger worked on the project during February and enthusiastically spoke of her involvement, "it is great to come to work knowing that what you do is really wanted by the community."

Jimmy Linke and Damien Gray mirror her enthusiasm.

"I've been with the Taree Community Garden for a few weeks, learned skills and met some great people. It's been a pleasure to volunteer," Jimmy said.

"It allows me to keep active and give back to the community," added Damien.

The RichmondPRA office sits about 50 metres from the garden and Chris Cassar says it's been "exciting to watch the construction unfold, to see the participants grow in skill and confidence."

"When they arrived they were a collection of individuals, but increasingly they have become a team, welcoming of new members, keen to share their experience and knowledge".

ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au